The Archers

Vince expresses concerns for a loved one, and Keira is angling for an invitation.

Is reconciliation on the cards for Ruth, and Usha attempts a difficult negotiation.

Pip and Stella are in wedding planning mode and discuss their first dance, practicing lifting each other. On a more serious note, Pip is worried about the lack of silage stored for their pasture-fed herd. They’re running low even before the cows come inside for the winter. They’re interrupted by a message – Stella’s mum’s in A&E. Nothing is broken but she has a bad sprain and won’t be able to walk Stella down the aisle as planned. Pip suggests asking David to do it – Ruth will be with Pip.
As Helen helps her brother harvest the last of the peppers and cucumbers, Tom is filled with enthusiasm for his greenhouse. Although Helen gently teases him, she agrees that they have the best of both worlds at Bridge Farm – tech and tradition.
Visiting an injured stag at Home Farm, Alistair listens to Brian brag about how well the farm is doing without Adam’s input. However, when Alistair presents his invoice, Brian is astonished at the cost, accusing him of daylight robbery. Brian thinks the charges set by Lovell James are lining the pockets of shareholders and he’s not at all happy. Calling Helen, Brian shares his concerns about the vet price increases and meets her and Tom at The Bull. Brian argues that a farm feeding the nation is too important to be at the mercy of shareholders. Tom would argue that Bridge Farm is even higher up in the hierarchy for needing support. However, they all want to join the fight against rising costs.

At the Rewilding site, people gather on a beautiful day for Carol Tregorran’s send off. Fallon makes a fond joke about Carol. Jolene’s pleased to see her daughter laughing again, especially after seeing Harrison apparently move on so fast, with Lily. Fallon needs a blank canvas and Jolene suggests legal advice about Woodbine cottage.
Fallon comforts emotional Anna, who’s ignoring calls from Alan. Anna is convinced Alan absolutely knew Carol’s money was in his bank account all along.
Meanwhile, anxious Alan is at home fretting about what to do, but tentatively arrives at the event, ready to speak only if called forward. As he starts his planned eulogy, Anna takes exception and orders him away, causing an emotional scene as Helen tries to mediate. Things escalate as Anna challenges Alan over abusing his position. The celebrant calmly encourages everyone to make their way to The Bull.
Back at home, Usha remembers that Carol got Alan’s bank details to transfer money for flowers, shortly before the large transaction. Alan feels vindicated, but Usha warns him to tread carefully - he should be upfront and speak to the Bishop before Anna puts in a formal complaint.
At a quiet Bull, Fallon and Jolene wonder what that was all about. They can’t find Anna and start to worry. Helen catches up to Anna in the woodland – Anna talks about Alan’s influence over Carol, convinced that she let Alan become a threat to Carol, enabling it.

Helen complains to Alistair about Lovell James’ price hikes and the impact on her and other farmers. At Alistair’s lack of conviction, Helen vows to take the fight on herself, by writing a letter to the company for others to sign. She’s cheered on by Paul, to Alistair’s annoyance. Later Alistair admits that while he supports Helen, he’s worried about how it looks for them. Paul states that Alistair needs to decide – either he agrees with Lovell James and backs them, or fights alongside his clients.
Usha is moved by Alan’s eulogy for Carol, and noting how tired Alan is, and that they both need a holiday, she’ll look in on Anna. Usha comments that Alan is a great Parish priest – marrying his own beliefs with those of others is why they work so well together.
Over tea with Helen, Anna is shocked and sickened to open Carol’s bank statement and see a £6000 payment made to Reverend Alan Franks on the day before Carol died. Helen suggests taking a moment, before joining Anna to confront Alan. Alan protests he had no idea about the payment, and promises to get to the bottom of it. Left stunned, Alan goes to check his computer and even write a cheque to pay it back. But Usha says to leave it until the banks open on Monday – after the ceremony. Alan fears that Anna thinks he’s a criminal, though. But Usha suggests dinner and an early night. Do justice to the eulogy tomorrow, then they’ll find out how to return the money as soon as possible.